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Key points

• While the cord stump has not come away and there is still a wound, clean it after every bath.
• Warm water at room temperature is normally enough. Only if the doctor judges the cord to be inflamed is saline or a prescribed antiseptic used.
• Take four cotton buds and moisten them. Divide the navel into an upper and a lower half: brush the upper half once with one bud, throw it away, then repeat with a second — the dirt around the navel comes away with the bud.
• Use the remaining two buds the same way on the lower half. Two to three cycles each time.
• Dry off the excess water afterwards and never cover it with gauze. Keeping the wound dry and clean is what lets it heal. Once after every bath.